Aotearoa New Zealand is the world capital of the Hebe genus, with over 95% of all Hebe species being endemic to NZ. Further, as it contains some 80 endemic species, the Hebe genus is NZ's largest genus of vascular plants. Therefore it stands to reason that the most beautiful Hebe in the world is a New Zealand species - but which one is it?
While I am very partial to the koromiko, H.salicifolia, (especially when it is covered with its long, lightly-scented flowerheads, which are conveniently placed at nose-level on this very tall shrub), the most beautiful hebe for me has to be the one from Marlborough, H.hulkeana. This is sometimes called the NZ lilac, because it has lilac-coloured flowers which come out at the same time as the regular lilac.
There the resemblance ends, because H.hulkeana is just a small shrub, which smothers itself with long stalks of flowers, so that the leaves can hardly be seen. It is also very tolerant of dry, sunny and stony places, and for this reason is one of the best shrubs I know for planting in a bed sited under north-facing eaves. When it is not flowering it is a neat shrub with shiny dark green leaves (or will be if you trim off the dead flower stalks and cut back the shrub just a little after flowering).
In the flower garden H.hulkeana (before it flowers) makes a good backdrop for spring-flowering bulbs. After flowering short perennials or annuals are good companions. It does not like being crowded or shaded by other shrubs, or even its own kind, and will grow leggy and misshapen if this happens. So give it lots of space to spread, and it will reward you with displays like the ones in the photos, which are growing in a seaside garden beside Lyttelton harbour.
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